Western Africa Population Pyramid (1950–2100)

Western Africa
2026
Population: 476,911,143

Year

-5 -1   2026  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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Western Africa in 2026

The population of Western Africa in 2026 is estimated at 476,911,144. A decade earlier, in 2016, the population was 377,346,753; it has grown by 26.4% since.

The median age is 19.4 years, and for every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 70.7 children under 15 and 5.5 people aged 65 or over. The broad-based, expansive shape of the pyramid points to high fertility and strong population growth.

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Population
476,911,144
Median age
19.4
0-14 %
40.1%
65+ %
3.1%
Child dependency
70.7
Old-age dependency
5.5
Pyramid shape
Births per woman

The World Bank does not publish this indicator for regions or continents.

Life expectancy at birth

The World Bank does not publish this indicator for regions or continents.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
22456890
19502100
Where immigrants come from (2024)

7,706,726 immigrants live in Western Africa.

Burkina Faso2,026,281
Mali1,000,882
Côte d'Ivoire948,444
Benin615,742
Togo541,509
Where emigrants live (2024)

11,328,034 people born in Western Africa live in other countries.

Côte d'Ivoire2,811,282
Nigeria1,172,502
United States of America823,411
Burkina Faso690,598
France625,072
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Immigration statistics

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

How many people live in Western Africa in 2026?
In 2026, Western Africa's population is estimated at 476,911,144.
What is the median age in Western Africa?
Western Africa's median age is 19.4 years.
What share of Western Africa's population is over 65 or under 15?
3.1% of Western Africa's population is 65 or older, and 40.1% is under 15.
What type of population pyramid does Western Africa have?
Western Africa's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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